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Quick Facts
Personal Details

Education

  • JD, University of Virginia School of Law, 1993-1996
  • BA, Political Science, James Madison University, 1989-1993

Professional Experience

  • JD, University of Virginia School of Law, 1993-1996
  • BA, Political Science, James Madison University, 1989-1993
  • Member/Partner, Surovell, Isaacs, Petersen, and Levy Professional Limited Company, 1996-present
  • Intern, Natural Resources Defense Council, 1995
  • Governor's Fellow, Commonwealth of Virginia, Governor L. Douglas Wilder Administration, 1993

Political Experience

  • JD, University of Virginia School of Law, 1993-1996
  • BA, Political Science, James Madison University, 1989-1993
  • Member/Partner, Surovell, Isaacs, Petersen, and Levy Professional Limited Company, 1996-present
  • Intern, Natural Resources Defense Council, 1995
  • Governor's Fellow, Commonwealth of Virginia, Governor L. Douglas Wilder Administration, 1993
  • Senator, Commonwealth of Virginia Senate, District 36, 2016-present
  • Candidate, Commonwealth of Virginia Senate, District 36, 2019
  • Delegate, Commonwealth of Virginia House of Delegates, District 44, 2010-2016

Former Committees/Caucuses

Former Member, Counties, Cities and Towns Committee, Commonwealth of Virginia House of Delegates

Former Member, General Laws and Technology Committee, Commonwealth of Virginia Senate

Former Member, Local Government Committee, Commonwealth of Virginia Senate

Former Member, Militia, Police and Public Safety Committee, Commonwealth of Virginia House of Delegates

Former Member, Science and Technology Committee, Commonwealth of Virginia House of Delegates

Former Member, Subcommittee #1 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Commonwealth of Virginia House of Delegates

Former Member, Subcommittee #2 (Militia, Police and Public Safety), Commonwealth of Virginia House of Delegates

Former Member, Subcommittee on General Laws and Technology #1, Commonwealth of Virginia Senate

Current Legislative Committees

Member, Commerce and Labor Committee

Member, Commission on the Virginia-North Carolina High Speed Rail Compact

Member, Judiciary Committee

Member, Privileges and Elections Committee

Member, Rehabilitation and Social Services Committee

Member, Subcommittee on Civil Law

Member, Transportation Committee

Religious, Civic, and other Memberships

  • JD, University of Virginia School of Law, 1993-1996
  • BA, Political Science, James Madison University, 1989-1993
  • Member/Partner, Surovell, Isaacs, Petersen, and Levy Professional Limited Company, 1996-present
  • Intern, Natural Resources Defense Council, 1995
  • Governor's Fellow, Commonwealth of Virginia, Governor L. Douglas Wilder Administration, 1993
  • Senator, Commonwealth of Virginia Senate, District 36, 2016-present
  • Candidate, Commonwealth of Virginia Senate, District 36, 2019
  • Delegate, Commonwealth of Virginia House of Delegates, District 44, 2010-2016
  • Member, Community Advisory Council, Fairfax County Public Schools, 2009-present
  • Girls Soccer Coach, Lee-Mount Vernon Soccer League, 2007-present
  • Member, Lee-Mount Vernon Chamber of Commerce, 2006-present
  • Member, Mount Vernon District Democratic Committee, Democratic Party of Virginia, 2001-present
  • Member, Fairfax Bar Association, 1996-present
  • Member, Virginia State Bar, 1996-present
  • Member, Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, 1996-present
  • Former Executive Editor, Virginia Environmental Law Journal
  • Former Chair, Virginia Trial Lawyers Family Law Section
  • Member, State Central Committee, Democratic Party of Virginia, 2005-2013
  • Member, Fifth District Attorney Discipline Committee, Virginia State Bar, 2005-2010
  • Chair, Fairfax County Democratic Committee, 2008-2009
  • Member, Fairfax County Public Schools Community Leadership Council, 2008-2009
  • Board Member, Lee-Mount Vernon Chamber of Commerce Education Partnership, 2007-2008
  • Chair, Mount Vernon District Democratic Committee, Democratic Party of Virginia, 2006-2008
  • Secretary/Treasurer, Tauxemont Community Association, 2001-2008
  • Co-Chair, Mount Vernon District Democratic Committee, Democratic Party of Virginia, 2003-2007
  • Ex Parte Member, Board of Directors, Fairfax Bar Association, 1998-1999

Other Info

Priority Issues:

-Revitalize U.S. 1 to maintain existing roadway, reduce traffic, and create drive economic growth

  • -Extend the Yellow and Blue Lines and expand U.S. 1
  • -Fight for smaller class sizes, higher teacher salaries & more state money for our schools
  • -Get the car title lenders off of U.S. 1
  • -Protect the Potomac River & our other natural treasures
  • -Fund the community programs to allow seniors to live with dignity in their homes
  • Policy Positions

    Virginia State Legislative Election 2015 Political Courage Test

    Abortion & Reproductive

    1. Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
    - Pro-choice

    2. Should abortions be illegal after the first trimester of pregnancy?
    - No

    3. Should abortion be legal when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape?
    - No

    4. Should abortion be legal when the life of the woman is endangered?
    - No

    5. Do you support requiring parental notification before an abortion is performed on a minor?
    - No

    6. Do you support requiring parental consent before an abortion is performed on a minor?
    - No

    7. Do you support the prohibition of public funds for abortion procedures?
    - No

    8. Do you support the prohibition of public funds for organizations that perform abortions?
    - No

    9. Other or expanded principles
    - No Answer

    Budget, Spending, & Tax

    Budget Stabilization:

    Indicate which proposals you support (if any) for balancing Virginia's budget.

    1. Tapping into Virginia's "rainy day" fund
    - No Answer

    2. Decreasing funding for public universities
    - No

    3. Reducing state employee salaries AND/OR pensions
    - No

    4. Instituting mandatory furloughs AND/OR layoffs for state employees
    - No

    5. Reducing benefits for Medicaid recipients
    - No

    6. Other or expanded principles
    - I support tapping the Rainy Day fund when it's allowed by state law.

    State Spending:

    Using the key, indicate what state funding levels (#1-6) you support for the following general categories. Select one level per category; you may use a number more than once.

    1. Education (higher)
    - Slightly Increase

    2. Education (K-12)
    - Slightly Increase

    3. Environment
    - Slightly Increase

    4. Health care
    - Slightly Increase

    5. Law enforcement/corrections
    - Maintain Status

    6. Transportation/infrastructure
    - Greatly Increase

    7. Welfare
    - Slightly Increase

    8. Other or expanded categories
    - Virginia's education system is significantly underfunded.

    State Taxes:

    Using the key, indicate what state tax levels (#1-6) you support for the following general categories. Select one level per category; you may use a number more than once.

    1. Alcohol taxes
    - Maintain Status

    2. Cigarette taxes
    - Greatly Increase

    3. Corporate taxes
    - Maintain Status

    4. Small business taxes
    - Maintain Status

    5. Gas/Oil taxes
    - Slightly Increase

    6. Property taxes
    - Maintain Status

    7. Sales taxes
    - Maintain Status

    8. Income taxes (low-income families)
    - Slightly Decrease

    9. Income taxes (mid-income families)
    - Maintain Status

    10. Income taxes (high-income families)
    - Maintain Status

    11. Other or expanded principles
    - No Answer

    Campaign Finance & Government Reform

    Do you support limits on the following types of contributions for state candidates?

    1. Individual
    - Yes

    2. Political Action Committee
    - Yes

    3. Corporate
    - Yes

    4. Political Party
    - Yes

    5. Should candidates for state office be encouraged to meet voluntary spending limits?
    - Yes

    6. Do you support requiring full and timely disclosure of campaign finance information?
    - Yes

    7. Do you support the use of an independent AND/OR bipartisan commission for redistricting?
    - Yes

    8. Do you support requiring a government-issued photo identification in order to vote at the polls?
    - No

    9. Other or expanded principles
    - No Answer

    Crime & Public Safety

    1. Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?
    - No

    2. Do you support alternatives to incarceration for certain non-violent offenders, such as mandatory counseling or substance abuse treatment?
    - Yes

    3. Do you support legalizing the possession of small amounts of marijuana?
    - Yes

    4. Should a minor accused of a violent crime be prosecuted as an adult?
    - No Answer

    5. Do you support the enforcement of federal immigration laws by state and local police?
    - No

    6. Other or expanded principles
    - As for section d, it depends on the crime and the factual circumstances.

    Economic

    1. Do you support government spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
    - Yes

    2. Do you support lowering taxes as a means of promoting economic growth?
    - No

    3. Do you support reducing government regulations on the private sector?
    - No Answer

    4. Do you support increased state funding for job-training programs that re-train displaced workers?
    - Yes

    5. Do you support expanding access to unemployment benefits?
    - Yes

    6. Do you support providing financial incentives to the private sector for the purpose of job creation?
    - No

    7. Do you support providing direct financial assistance to homeowners facing foreclosure?
    - Yes

    8. Do you support an increase of the minimum wage?
    - Yes

    9. Other or expanded principles
    - No Answer

    Education

    1. Do you support the national Common Core State Standards initiative?
    - No Answer

    2. Do you support a merit pay system for teachers?
    - No

    3. Is the tenure process for public school teachers producing effective teachers?
    - Yes

    4. Should parents be allowed to use vouchers to send their children to any school?
    - No

    5. Do you support state funding for charter schools?
    - No

    6. Do you support the state government providing college students with financial aid?
    - Yes

    7. Should illegal immigrants who graduate from Virginia high schools be eligible for in-state tuition at public universities?
    - No Answer

    8. Other or expanded principles
    - I support in-state tuition for DREAMers who qualify for resident status in the Commonwealth.

    Environment & Energy

    1. Do you support state funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, thermal)?
    - Yes

    2. Do you support state funding for the development of traditional domestic energy sources (e.g. coal, natural gas, oil)?
    - No

    3. Do you support state funding for improvements to Virginia's energy infrastructure?
    - Yes

    4. Do you support state funding for open space preservation?
    - Yes

    5. Do you support government regulations of greenhouse gas emissions?
    - Yes

    6. Do you support increased regulations of the hydraulic fracturing ("fracking") industry?
    - Yes

    7. Other or expanded principles
    - No Answer

    Gun

    1. Do you generally support gun-control legislation?
    - No Answer

    2. Should background checks be required on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows?
    - Yes

    3. Should citizens be allowed to carry concealed guns?
    - Yes

    4. Should a license be required for gun possession?
    - No

    5. Other or expanded principles
    - I generally support legislation that promotes firearm violence prevention.

    Health

    1. Do you support a universally-accessible, publicly-administered health insurance option?
    - Yes

    2. Do you support expanding access to health care through commercial health insurance reform?
    - Yes

    3. Do you support interstate health insurance compacts?
    - Yes

    4. Do you support Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare")?
    - Yes

    5. Do you support requiring individuals to purchase health care insurance?
    - Yes

    6. Do you support monetary limits on damages that can be collected in malpractice lawsuits?
    - No

    7. Do you support allowing doctors to prescribe marijuana to their patients for medicinal purposes?
    - Yes

    8. Other or expanded principles
    - No Answer

    Social

    1. Do you support same-sex marriage?
    - Yes

    2. Do you support the inclusion of sexual orientation in Virginia's anti-discrimination laws?
    - Yes

    3. Do you support the inclusion of gender identity in Virginia's anti-discrimination laws?
    - Yes

    4. Other or expanded principles
    - No Answer

    Legislative Priorities

    1. In the following area, please explain in a total of 100 words or less, your top two or three priorities if elected. If they require additional funding for implementation, please explain how you would obtain this funding.
    - 1 - Improving the U.S. 1 Corridor by extending the Yellow and Blue Lines to bring economic develop.2 - Fully funding our secondary and higher education system to enable competitive teacher salaries, lower class sizes, and computers or tablets for every child.3 - Abolishing car title lending in Virginia which is a blight on U.S. 1 and facilitates predatory lending.

    Virginia State Legislative Election 2019 Political Courage Test

    Abortion & Reproductive

    1. Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
    - Pro-choice

    2. Should abortion be legal when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape?
    - Yes

    3. Do you support the prohibition of public funds for organizations that perform abortions?
    - No

    4. Other or expanded principles
    - No Answer

    Budget, Spending, & Tax

    Budget Stabilization:

    Indicate which proposals you support (if any) for balancing Virginia's budget.

    1. Reducing state employee salaries AND/OR pensions?
    - No

    2. Instituting mandatory furloughs AND/OR layoffs for state employees?
    - No

    3. An income tax increase on any tax bracket?
    - Yes

    4. Other or expanded principles
    - Virginia's highest income tax bracket is at $17,500. We need to look at adjusting our brackets.

    Campaign Finance & Government Reform

    1. Do you support a limit on campaign contributions to state candidates?
    - Yes

    2. Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
    - Yes

    3. Do you support the use of an independent AND/OR bipartisan commission for redistricting?
    - No

    4. Do you support requiring a government-issued photo identification in order to vote at the polls?
    - No

    5. Do you support automatic voter registration?
    - Yes

    6. Other or expanded principles
    - I support an independent redistricting commission if it is done fairly and in a true nonpartisan fashion with neutral criteria and full public transparency.

    Crime & Public Safety

    1. Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?
    - No

    2. Should a minor accused of a violent crime be prosecuted as an adult?
    - No

    3. Do you support the enforcement of federal immigration laws by state and local police?
    - No

    4. Do you support the legalization of recreational marijuana?
    - Yes

    5. Do you support banning the use of cell phones and other handheld communication devices while driving?
    - Yes

    6. Other or expanded principles
    - We also need to look at reducing the number of mandatory minimum sentences we have on the books

    Economic

    1. Do you support state government spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
    - Yes

    2. Do you support lowering state income taxes as a means of promoting economic growth?
    - No

    3. Do you support reducing government regulations on the private sector?
    - No Answer

    4. Do you support expanding access to unemployment benefits?
    - Yes

    5. Do you support requiring welfare applicants to pass a drug test in order to receive benefits?
    - No

    6. Do you support an increase of the minimum wage of Virginia?
    - Yes

    7. Do you support requiring employers to provide paid family leave?
    - Yes

    8. Other or expanded principles
    - I don't know what (c) means.

    Education

    1. Do you support adopting federal education standards in Virginia?
    - No Answer

    2. Do you support state funding for charter schools?
    - No

    3. Should immigrants unlawfully present in the United States who graduate from Virginia high schools be eligible for in-state tuition at public universities?
    - Yes

    4. Other or expanded principles
    - I don't know what (a) means.

    Environment & Energy

    1. Do you support state funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, thermal)?
    - Yes

    2. Do you support government regulations of greenhouse gas emissions?
    - Yes

    3. Do you support increasing state funding for clean drinking water initiatives?
    - Yes

    4. Other or expanded principles
    - We need to ban fracking.

    Gun

    1. Do you generally support gun-control legislation?
    - Yes

    2. Should background checks be required on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows?
    - Yes

    3. Should teachers be allowed to bring guns into the classroom?
    - No

    4. Should a license be required for gun ownership?
    - No Answer

    5. Other or expanded principles
    - I'm undecided on (d)

    Health

    1. Should the state government increase funding for treatment facilities to combat opioid abuse?
    - Yes

    2. Do you support Medicaid expansion through Virginia's health care programs?
    - Yes

    3. Do you support requiring individuals to purchase health care insurance?
    - Yes

    4. Do you support legislation that grants citizens the right to choose to die through euthanasia?
    - Yes

    5. Do you support eliminating religious exemptions for vaccinations?
    - Yes

    6. Other or expanded principles
    - No Answer

    Social

    1. Do you support the inclusion of sexual orientation in Virginia's anti-discrimination laws?
    - Yes

    2. Do you support the inclusion of gender identity in Virginia's anti-discrimination laws?
    - Yes

    3. Do you support greater efforts by Virginia state government in closing the pay gap between men and women?
    - Yes

    4. Other or expanded principles
    - No Answer

    Legislative Priorities

    1. In the following area, please explain in a total of 100 words or less, any additional priorities of your campaign that have not been covered in these questions.
    - No Answer

    2. In the following area, please explain in a total of 100 words or less, your top legislative priority and how you plan to fund it.
    - No Answer

    Speeches
    Events

    2020

    Sep. 7
    Woodbridge Taco Drive-Thru

    Mon 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM EDT

    Tacos Moya Woodbridge, VA

    Sep. 7
    Mt. Vernon Taco Drive-Thru

    Mon 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM EDT

    Ricos Tacos Moya 3 Alexandria, VA

    May 20
    Town Hall: High-Risk Community Guidance Town Hall

    Wed 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM EDT

    Dumfries, Virginia Dumfries, VA